Completed Event: Women's Ice Hockey at RV Colgate on January 31, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 3
Final
Women's Ice Hockey
at RV Colgate
2
3
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Photo by: Doug Austin
Herrington is Living a Dream at Dartmouth
2/17/2023 9:03:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey, Peak Performance
Herrington plays her final collegiate games with the Big Green this weekend at Yale and Brown
Sydney Herrington grew up attending Dartmouth hockey games, so her first time on the Thompson Arena ice as a Big Green student-athlete was like a dream.
"It was surreal," she said. "The first practice that I stepped on the ice — it was just a captain's practice, no coaches — I was overthinking it way too much. I skated around to the other end and shot a few pucks alone.
"It was just a moment of realization that it actually happened. I did it. I'm here."
Beneath the surface of "what happened" was a story.
Herrington's road to Hanover was far from typical, but it ultimately brought her to Dartmouth, just an hour away from her hometown of Bow, New Hampshire.
"We're a huge hockey family," said Herrington. "There are six of us [kids] and we all played hockey growing up. Our parents didn't play hockey, but they went to a UNH game before any of us were born and they fell in love with the sport. We grew up going to college games on the weekends as a family activity.
"They wanted to inspire us," she continued. "It was fun to be a part of the community and see all our heroes. When you're a little kid, college athletes are incredible. You think they're superhuman.
"I believe that was integral to developing our love for the game."
Herrington committed to Northeastern to play hockey where both her sister and brother went.
"It was a pretty easy decision," she said. "My sister was playing hockey there and I was recruited as well. I went there and met a lot of amazing people."
However, Herrington's heart knew something was off.
"I was talking to my sister one day and was walking around the city and brought up transferring," she said. "I was joking, but she said I should do it."
Sydney's sister gave her a deadline.
"She said to not make 'no decision' be my decision and let the deadline come and go," said Sydney. "I'm a pretty cautious person, so it's difficult for me to take that step. My brother had also transferred, so I could ask him questions and he was very helpful.
"The deadline came, and I decided to take a leap of faith."
Transferring after year three was unique and somewhat atypical, but the COVID-19 pandemic leading to an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA led her to think about, and ultimately decide, to make the move.
When deciding on her next destination, much more than hockey entered the equation.
"Northeastern is a very strong school," said Herrington. "They have a co-op program, which is very attractive to people. I had done a six-month co-op already where you work, you don't take classes and you get credit for it, so it's a very good real-world experience.
"I wanted a better hockey experience, but I didn't want to sacrifice academics for that," she continued. "I knew the Ivy League was going to be a step up and Dartmouth has a special meaning when you're from here, because we grew up coming to games."
Dartmouth also feels like home to Herrington for a variety of other reasons.
"Outside even looks like outside my house (in Bow)," said Herrington. "It's just familiar, so even though it was such a hard decision and a huge step for me, if I managed to actually get into Dartmouth, it would be a dream."
Herrington's dream came true.
She committed before current head coach Liz Keady Norton was hired.
Under Keady Norton, the Big Green are building a strong foundation for success, which takes time and patience. Having a veteran like Herrington, with plenty of college hockey experience, helps in that process.
"At Northeastern, we went from the middle of Hockey East to the National Championship Game my junior year," said Herrington. "You feel the positive momentum [here at Dartmouth]. It hasn't happened yet, but it's the beginning. Everything has to come from something."
That's something Herrington has experienced and lived through with the Huskies.
"The results aren't the results we want, but we're getting closer," she said.
Getting closer with the help of Herrington.
"Syd is an excellent teammate who cares deeply about those around her and is thoughtful in her approach in everything she does," said Keady Norton. "As a transfer, she came in as a veteran in a number of ways. She showed up well-prepared, excited for the opportunity and challenges that lay ahead."
A significant aspect of Herrington's story throughout her life has been finding her identity in all facets of life, which began with the environment fostered by her parents.
"We were never pressured to do one thing," said Herrington. "We all had our own strengths. A few of us are more numbers oriented. A few of us are less numbers oriented. Others are more creative, less creative, artistic, less artistic. They all treated us the same, but they knew we all had different strengths and weaknesses. They had a hands-off approach.
"Our parents are always there for advice and they're always going to support what we do," she continued. "We're free to chase whatever dream we want to."
Much like Sydney has different hockey experiences under her belt, she has similarly explored a number of majors.
"I did my co-op at BBH, which is Brown Brothers Harriman," said Herrington, who was a finance major and neuroscience minor at Northeastern. "They're the oldest bank in America. I worked on a team that used AI (artificial intelligence) and RPA (robotic process automation) to help solve business problems within the firm and help different areas run more efficiently.
"It was a really good real-world experience, but I now know I don't want to do that. I learned so much, but I don't think it made the best use of my skill set."
When Herrington arrived at Dartmouth, she created a major — history modified by psychology.
"Dartmouth allows you to explore your interests," she said. "You can also create your own major, which is really nice. I remember when I initially tried to do this major, I talked it out with my advisors and wrote this supportive essay about it. I really am interested in both areas, interested in how people think and how they make decisions and how these decisions affect the course of history."
Herrington convinced her advisors.
"It really speaks to how Dartmouth is open-minded," said Herrington. "They know people aren't cookie cutters and it's reflected in their flexibility. History was a subject I hadn't really explored in my studies or explored in depth. It is helping me to be a better analytical, critical thinker."
At Dartmouth, Herrington has learned it's up to oneself to take control of one's life.
"I have become more positive in self advocating for myself," she said. "No one is going to read your mind. You only know what you want to do. If you want it, then go get it."
Dartmouth can be a challenging place, especially for transfer students.
"Syd navigated her transition with persistence, determination and grace," said Keady Norton.
Herrington's Dartmouth classes have made an impact on her, beyond simply information learned, but rather the way it forces students to think.
"My professors often will take a subject out of context and ask us to look at in a different way, like how it is applicable to the world today, or how you can apply it to your own life," said Herrington. "They want you to improve your thinking. They want you to explore who you are and they're not going to push you toward one particular thing."
Herrington was not pushed to Dartmouth; it was just the perfect fit. She has gotten a lot from Dartmouth, and Dartmouth has gotten a lot from her, including and especially the women's hockey program.
"I am fortunate to have this other experience providing me with perspective … to allow me to say that I know we're frustrated, but it will come," said Herrington. "It's hard to keep the mindset positive because often when you're losing, it's easy to get down on yourself and remember what happened the previous game. Having a short memory is key."
Named assistant captain this season, Herrington's impact to those around her is unquestioned.
"When Syd first arrived, she didn't say much but let her work and actions speak for themselves," said Keady Norton. "As she grew more confident and comfortable in her new environment, it was clear her teammates respected her, her journey, her work ethic and commitment. For her to find herself in a leadership role in year two is certainly noteworthy, but not all that surprising to me. Syd has grown into an influential member of our team in a short period of time, on and off the ice."
Herrington's final college games are this weekend, as the Big Green travel to Yale on Friday and Brown on Saturday. It will be hard to leave the sport after more than a decade of memories playing hockey, but she can leave knowing the legacy she's leaving.
"I hope that people see how motivated and reliable I am," she said. "If people ever have issues, I think they know they can come and ask me for advice. They always joke that I'm the grandma.
"I've done this for so long, and I hope they know they can count on me to just be their backbone."
Herrington is a backbone to her teammates, much like she and her siblings are to each other.
"I believe I have a lot of intrinsic motivation," she said. "I'll never think that something I do is good enough. If something is good, I always want it better. That mindset probably stems from growing up in a big family and being the youngest."
Herrington has five siblings, four of whom played hockey in college while the fifth rowed.
"Seeing how hard they've worked, where they are now and what they've achieved is inspiring," she said. "Growing up around them, it was just an environment of wanting to get better. It comes within me, within all of us, to be the best at something that we can be."
Because of that push to improve and to never be satisfied, Sydney Herrington is living a dream at Dartmouth.
"It was surreal," she said. "The first practice that I stepped on the ice — it was just a captain's practice, no coaches — I was overthinking it way too much. I skated around to the other end and shot a few pucks alone.
"It was just a moment of realization that it actually happened. I did it. I'm here."
Beneath the surface of "what happened" was a story.
Herrington's road to Hanover was far from typical, but it ultimately brought her to Dartmouth, just an hour away from her hometown of Bow, New Hampshire.
"We're a huge hockey family," said Herrington. "There are six of us [kids] and we all played hockey growing up. Our parents didn't play hockey, but they went to a UNH game before any of us were born and they fell in love with the sport. We grew up going to college games on the weekends as a family activity.
"They wanted to inspire us," she continued. "It was fun to be a part of the community and see all our heroes. When you're a little kid, college athletes are incredible. You think they're superhuman.
"I believe that was integral to developing our love for the game."
Herrington committed to Northeastern to play hockey where both her sister and brother went.
"It was a pretty easy decision," she said. "My sister was playing hockey there and I was recruited as well. I went there and met a lot of amazing people."
However, Herrington's heart knew something was off.
"I was talking to my sister one day and was walking around the city and brought up transferring," she said. "I was joking, but she said I should do it."
Sydney's sister gave her a deadline.
"She said to not make 'no decision' be my decision and let the deadline come and go," said Sydney. "I'm a pretty cautious person, so it's difficult for me to take that step. My brother had also transferred, so I could ask him questions and he was very helpful.
"The deadline came, and I decided to take a leap of faith."
Transferring after year three was unique and somewhat atypical, but the COVID-19 pandemic leading to an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA led her to think about, and ultimately decide, to make the move.
When deciding on her next destination, much more than hockey entered the equation.
"Northeastern is a very strong school," said Herrington. "They have a co-op program, which is very attractive to people. I had done a six-month co-op already where you work, you don't take classes and you get credit for it, so it's a very good real-world experience.
"I wanted a better hockey experience, but I didn't want to sacrifice academics for that," she continued. "I knew the Ivy League was going to be a step up and Dartmouth has a special meaning when you're from here, because we grew up coming to games."
Dartmouth also feels like home to Herrington for a variety of other reasons.
"Outside even looks like outside my house (in Bow)," said Herrington. "It's just familiar, so even though it was such a hard decision and a huge step for me, if I managed to actually get into Dartmouth, it would be a dream."
Herrington's dream came true.
She committed before current head coach Liz Keady Norton was hired.
Under Keady Norton, the Big Green are building a strong foundation for success, which takes time and patience. Having a veteran like Herrington, with plenty of college hockey experience, helps in that process.
"At Northeastern, we went from the middle of Hockey East to the National Championship Game my junior year," said Herrington. "You feel the positive momentum [here at Dartmouth]. It hasn't happened yet, but it's the beginning. Everything has to come from something."
That's something Herrington has experienced and lived through with the Huskies.
"The results aren't the results we want, but we're getting closer," she said.
Getting closer with the help of Herrington.
"Syd is an excellent teammate who cares deeply about those around her and is thoughtful in her approach in everything she does," said Keady Norton. "As a transfer, she came in as a veteran in a number of ways. She showed up well-prepared, excited for the opportunity and challenges that lay ahead."
A significant aspect of Herrington's story throughout her life has been finding her identity in all facets of life, which began with the environment fostered by her parents.
"We were never pressured to do one thing," said Herrington. "We all had our own strengths. A few of us are more numbers oriented. A few of us are less numbers oriented. Others are more creative, less creative, artistic, less artistic. They all treated us the same, but they knew we all had different strengths and weaknesses. They had a hands-off approach.
"Our parents are always there for advice and they're always going to support what we do," she continued. "We're free to chase whatever dream we want to."
Much like Sydney has different hockey experiences under her belt, she has similarly explored a number of majors.
"I did my co-op at BBH, which is Brown Brothers Harriman," said Herrington, who was a finance major and neuroscience minor at Northeastern. "They're the oldest bank in America. I worked on a team that used AI (artificial intelligence) and RPA (robotic process automation) to help solve business problems within the firm and help different areas run more efficiently.
"It was a really good real-world experience, but I now know I don't want to do that. I learned so much, but I don't think it made the best use of my skill set."
When Herrington arrived at Dartmouth, she created a major — history modified by psychology.
"Dartmouth allows you to explore your interests," she said. "You can also create your own major, which is really nice. I remember when I initially tried to do this major, I talked it out with my advisors and wrote this supportive essay about it. I really am interested in both areas, interested in how people think and how they make decisions and how these decisions affect the course of history."
Herrington convinced her advisors.
"It really speaks to how Dartmouth is open-minded," said Herrington. "They know people aren't cookie cutters and it's reflected in their flexibility. History was a subject I hadn't really explored in my studies or explored in depth. It is helping me to be a better analytical, critical thinker."
At Dartmouth, Herrington has learned it's up to oneself to take control of one's life.
"I have become more positive in self advocating for myself," she said. "No one is going to read your mind. You only know what you want to do. If you want it, then go get it."
Dartmouth can be a challenging place, especially for transfer students.
"Syd navigated her transition with persistence, determination and grace," said Keady Norton.
Herrington's Dartmouth classes have made an impact on her, beyond simply information learned, but rather the way it forces students to think.
"My professors often will take a subject out of context and ask us to look at in a different way, like how it is applicable to the world today, or how you can apply it to your own life," said Herrington. "They want you to improve your thinking. They want you to explore who you are and they're not going to push you toward one particular thing."
Herrington was not pushed to Dartmouth; it was just the perfect fit. She has gotten a lot from Dartmouth, and Dartmouth has gotten a lot from her, including and especially the women's hockey program.
"I am fortunate to have this other experience providing me with perspective … to allow me to say that I know we're frustrated, but it will come," said Herrington. "It's hard to keep the mindset positive because often when you're losing, it's easy to get down on yourself and remember what happened the previous game. Having a short memory is key."
Named assistant captain this season, Herrington's impact to those around her is unquestioned.
"When Syd first arrived, she didn't say much but let her work and actions speak for themselves," said Keady Norton. "As she grew more confident and comfortable in her new environment, it was clear her teammates respected her, her journey, her work ethic and commitment. For her to find herself in a leadership role in year two is certainly noteworthy, but not all that surprising to me. Syd has grown into an influential member of our team in a short period of time, on and off the ice."
Herrington's final college games are this weekend, as the Big Green travel to Yale on Friday and Brown on Saturday. It will be hard to leave the sport after more than a decade of memories playing hockey, but she can leave knowing the legacy she's leaving.
"I hope that people see how motivated and reliable I am," she said. "If people ever have issues, I think they know they can come and ask me for advice. They always joke that I'm the grandma.
"I've done this for so long, and I hope they know they can count on me to just be their backbone."
Herrington is a backbone to her teammates, much like she and her siblings are to each other.
"I believe I have a lot of intrinsic motivation," she said. "I'll never think that something I do is good enough. If something is good, I always want it better. That mindset probably stems from growing up in a big family and being the youngest."
Herrington has five siblings, four of whom played hockey in college while the fifth rowed.
"Seeing how hard they've worked, where they are now and what they've achieved is inspiring," she said. "Growing up around them, it was just an environment of wanting to get better. It comes within me, within all of us, to be the best at something that we can be."
Because of that push to improve and to never be satisfied, Sydney Herrington is living a dream at Dartmouth.
Players Mentioned
F
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